[1] skopeite: skopein usually has reference to the attention which results in avoidance; so Rom. xvi. 17: parakalô skopein tous ta skandala poiountas kai ekklinate k.t.l. But here obviously the "looking" is for imitation.—The Philippians knew St Paul's teaching, and in his attached leading disciples among them they could see it embodied.
[2] Cp. Matt. vii. 13; Rom. vi. 21; 2 Cor. xi. 15; Heb. vi. 8; 1 Pet. iv. 17.
[3] I thus attempt to give the meaning of politeuma, so far as I understand it. The R.V. renders it "citizenship," and "commonwealth" in the margin. The usage of the word in Greek literature amply justifies either, and either well suits the general context. The Apostle means that Christians are citizens of the heavenly City as to their status, and are therefore "obliged by their nobility" to live, however far from their home, as those who belong to it, and represent it. What seems lacking however in the rendering of the R.V. is the idea of locality, which (to me) was clearly present to St Paul's mind in his use of politeuma here. The proof of this lies in the words ex ou just below; not ex ôn (ouranôn) but ex ou (politeumatos): I can find no proof of the assertion (Moulton's Winer, p. 177) that ex ou is a mere equivalent for hothen, and so may refer to the plural ouranoi. The rendering "seat of citizenship" seems fairly to represent politeuma thus.—The A.V. "conversation" (Lat. conversatio, "intercourse of life") probably represents an impression of the translators that the Apostle is as it were echoing i. 27, axiôs tu euaggeliou politeuesthe. But the imagery here is different, and definite.
[4] See note just above on ex ou.
[5] Perhaps read auta. But the translation must remain the same.
[6] F. R. Havergal.
PURITY AND PEACE IN THE PRESENT LORD
"Now the Christians, O King, as men who know God, ask from Him petitions which are proper for Him to give and for them to receive; and thus they accomplish the course of their lives. And because they acknowledge the goodnesses of God towards them, lo! on account of them there flows forth the beauty that is in the world."—Apology of Aristides, about A.D. 130; translated by MRS RENDEL HARRIS.